MMA News

Category: PFL

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is a mixed martial arts organization founded in 2018. It is the first major MMA promotion to feature a regular season, post-season and championship.

  • ‘Dominant And Drained Him’ – Fans React To Movlid Khaybulaev Putting On Grappling Master Class To Lock Up Featherweight PFL World Tournament Final Spot

    ‘Dominant And Drained Him’ – Fans React To Movlid Khaybulaev Putting On Grappling Master Class To Lock Up Featherweight PFL World Tournament Final Spot

    Movlid Khaybulaev put on a dominant display of takedowns and grappling pressure, as he took a clear decision over Taekyun Kim at the PFL World Tournament semifinal event in Nashville to lock up a spot in the 145-pound final fight.

    From the opening round, Khaybulaev repeatedly grounded Kim with takedowns, neutralizing his offense and constantly wearing him down with clinch control, top pressure, and knees to the legs. Kim showed heart in trying to escape Khaybulaev’s relentless grappling offense, especially in the later moments of the fight, but it all was for naught.

    Khaybulaev’s takedowns, top control, and consistent damage proved to be too much over the course of 15 minutes, totaling nine takedowns in that timeframe. The last takedown came in the closing seconds to seal a dominant win, with Khaybulaev sweeping the scorecards.

    Movlid Khaybulaev Clinches Finals Spot With Win Over Taekyun Kim In PFL World Tournament

    https://twitter.com/strongandjacket/status/1933365566443532769

    Khaybulaev, the 2021 PFL featherweight champion, remains unbeaten and now advances to the finals, where he will meet the winner of the trilogy fight between Jesus Pinedo and Gabriel Braga.

    Kim, a veteran of Brave CF and UAE Warriors, suffers just the second loss of his professional MMA career.

  • VIDEO: Magomed Umalatov Delivers Faceplant, Walk-Off KO To Bounce Back From First Defeat, Weight Miss

    VIDEO: Magomed Umalatov Delivers Faceplant, Walk-Off KO To Bounce Back From First Defeat, Weight Miss

    After the last half-year proved to be one to forget for him, Magomed Umalatov is back in a big way, scoring a first-round knockout of Anthony Ivy during the early card of the PFL World Tournament semifinals event in Nashville, Tennessee.

    Umalatov stuffed an early takedown attempt from Ivy and appeared to do damage with a knee to the body. He then got the better of Ivy on the ground, showing off effective pressure and ground-and-pound.

    Ivy made his way back to his feet, but as he tried to push forward, Umalatov cracked him with a quick left hand. Another one from Umalatov immediately after then sent him crashing to the mat face-first, as Umalatov immediately celebrated before the referee officially stepped in to wave off the bout.

    Umalatov finished as the runner-up in the 2024 PFL welterweight tournament, falling short against fellow countryman Shamil Musaev. It was the first loss of Umalatov’s MMA career, and he fell just short again of a PFL title.

    Umalatov then was scheduled to compete in the welterweight portion of the PFL World Tournament this year before missing weight and medical issues forced him off his originally scheduled bout with Logan Storley in April.

    Ivy, who missed weight for this bout, was riding a seven-fight win streak, coming into this bout off a submission of Jaleel Willis in a showcase bout during last year’s PFL Playoffs.

  • Breaking: Stream Every PFL International League Fight Free with New Official App

    Breaking: Stream Every PFL International League Fight Free with New Official App

    The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has launched a new direct-to-consumer app that allows U.S. fans to stream all PFL International League events live and free. The app, available on Apple and Google Play stores, serves as the exclusive U.S. home for live broadcasts of PFL Europe, PFL MENA, and PFL Africa events. The platform also offers access to PFL fights, fighter information, analytics, fan rewards, games, and behind-the-scenes content.

    PFL App

    Upcoming live events accessible through the app include PFL MENA on July 4 in Riyadh, PFL Europe on July 5 in Brussels, and PFL Africa on July 19 in Cape Town. The app’s features include live fight streaming, schedules, fighter profiles, fan engagement tools, and insider content.

    PFL CEO Peter Murray stated that the app is part of the league’s strategy to provide a centralized experience for fans and to make international events directly accessible in the U.S. Rick Allen, CEO of ViewLift, the platform’s technology partner, highlighted the ongoing partnership and the new opportunities for fan interaction and access to live content.

    The app is currently available for download on mobile devices and via the web, with plans to expand to OTT devices such as Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV later in the year.

    Download now at the Apple or Google Play Storeto begin your PFL free all access pass.  

    “We’re putting the power directly in the hands of MMA fans,” explained PFL CEO Peter Murray. “For the first time ever, fans in the U.S. can watch PFL MENA, PFL Europe, PFL Africa, and PFL Pacific live and free, all in one place. The PFL App is a major investment in our global league strategy and in delivering a deeper, more connected and centralized experience for our fans.”

    “PFL has focused on its fans since its launch,” said Rick Allen, ViewLift’s CEO. “We are proud to continue our 7-year alliance with the League, and deliver an entirely new experience for those fans: behind-the-scenes access, new ways to expand your fight knowledge and test yourself against others, and … for the very first time … direct US access to live international fights and recaps. Join us in the SmartCage!”

  • ‘An Absolute Superstar’ – Fans React To Paul Hughes Starching Bruno Miranda In PFL Belfast Main Event

    ‘An Absolute Superstar’ – Fans React To Paul Hughes Starching Bruno Miranda In PFL Belfast Main Event

    “Big News” is the big news coming out of PFL Europe’s event in Belfast.

    Paul Hughes fulfilled his dream of competing at the SSE Arena in Belfast and made an impact while doing so, finishing Bruno Miranda in less than a minute in the evening’s featured bout.

    Miranda opened the fight with a series of kicks, mainly focusing on the legs of Hughes. But all it took was one counter for the fight to turn things on a dime and end quickly. Hughes caught a kick and landed a left hook that dropped Miranda. Hughes followed up with a barrage of ground-and-pound until the referee stepped in, awarding the fight to Hughes after just 42 seconds.

    Paul Hughes Ends PFL Belfast Main Event In 42 Seconds, Calls Out Usman Nurmagomedov For Rematch

    https://twitter.com/ProchazkaSzn/status/1921309712055783802

    Hughes signed with the PFL in 2024, debuting at the Bellator Champions Series event in June 2024, finishing Bobby King. Hughes then scored a major victory over A.J. McKee at the Battle of the Giants card in October before challenging Usman Nurmagomedov for the Bellator lightweight title in the main card of PFL’s Road to Dubai event in January — a fight Hughes lost via a controversial decision.

    Hughes called out Nurmagomedov for a re-match following the win.

    Miranda has now lost three of his last four. Miranda made the semi-finals of the 2023 PFL lightweight season, losing to Olivier Aubin-Mercier.

  • VIDEO: Connor Hughes Sends Sebastien Di Franco To The Shadow Realm With One-Punch KO At PFL Belfast

    VIDEO: Connor Hughes Sends Sebastien Di Franco To The Shadow Realm With One-Punch KO At PFL Belfast

    While it’s Paul Hughes who is competing in the headline slot of PFL Belfast, another Hughes, Connor, may have stolen the show with a brutal finish.

    Hughes scored a second-round knockout of Sebastien Di Franco in a featured bout of the event, which featured the first round of the PFL Europe lightweight tournament.

    Hughes busted up Di Franco’s leg badly in the opening frame with a series of leg kicks. Hughes dominated the opening frame with check hooks, left punches, and working combinations. Di Franco had his own fair success with strikes, but he was unable to handle Hughes’ timing and accuracy.

    Di Franco started to get into a groove in the second round, getting his hands going. But one powerful right hand from Hughes changed all that, flooring Di Franco and knocking him out cold.

    Connor Hughes Puts Sebastien Di Franco To Sleep With Walk-Off KO At PFL Belfast

    Hughes has competed in the previous two seasons of PFL Europe, falling in the opening round of the 2023 tournament to Dylan Tuke (making Hughes’ first pro loss) and losing in last year’s final to two-time champion Jakub Kaszuba.

    Hughes now moves on to the 2025 PFL Europe lightweight tournament semifinals, where he will face Gino van Steenis. The younger brother of Costello van Steenis defeated Decky McAleenan.

    Di Franco has now lost three of his last four.

  • VIDEO: Alex Chizov Sleeps Mark Ewen With Single Left Hand At PFL Belfast

    VIDEO: Alex Chizov Sleeps Mark Ewen With Single Left Hand At PFL Belfast

    The PFL World Tournament has produced a number of upsets in its first-round events already, and now PFL Europe’s 2025 season — with only its lightweight fights at tonight’s PFL Belfast card — is not an exception.

    Alex Chizov did not need long to put away Mark Ewen and secure a semifinal spot in the PFL Europe lightweight bracket.

    After some leg kicks from both men, Chizov started to work the right hand. Ewen did not look like he was into second gear yet when Chizov landed a left hand that dropped Ewen. Chizov only got a follow-up shot or two in before the referee quickly stepped in to halt the action, giving Chizov the win in about a minute-and-a-half.

    Alex Chizov KOs Mark Ewen In 93 Seconds At PFL Belfast

    After defeating Omar Hussein in his 2022 PFL debut, “Pretty Boy” Chizov came into tonight’s bout off back-to-back losses against Acoidan Duque and Daniele Scatizzi.

    Chizov will now face Claudio Pacella, who defeated Gavin Hughes in another first-round fight held at PFL Belfast, in the tournament’s semi-finals later this year.

    Ewen is now 1-2 in PFL Europe and has lost two of his last three after starting his professional MMA career 5-0.

  • VIDEO: Eoin Sheridan Brutalizes With Quick KO at PFL Belfast

    VIDEO: Eoin Sheridan Brutalizes With Quick KO at PFL Belfast

    Talk about making a statement in just your second appearance with a promotion – Eoin Sheridan did just that.

    Sheridan didn’t need much for a quick night at the office, scoring a fast-paced knockout of Malichi Edwards during the early card of the PFL Europe event in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

    Sheridan cracked Edwards with a right hand mere seconds into the fight, causing him to go right on the attack. Sheridan fired off flurries on a rocked Edwards, trying to finish things quickly. After failing at a takedown and eating punch after punch, Edwards somehow survived and got back to his feet — even after a takedown from Sheridan.

    Eoin Sheridan Puts Away Malichi Edwards In Less Than Two Minutes at PFL Belfast

    Still, he didn’t look completely recovered. And before the two-minute mark of the fight hit, Sheridan landed another one-two that folded Edwards.

    Sheridan made his professional MMA debut in September 2023, defeating Joey Dakin via doctor’s stoppage. He followed that up with his PFL debut in December, scoring a decision over Brice Belghazi.

    Edwards now falls to 4-2 after starting his MMA career 3-0.

  • ‘Just Sniped Him’ — Fans React To Phil Davis Dropping Rob Wilkinson For First Finish In Nearly Six Years

    ‘Just Sniped Him’ — Fans React To Phil Davis Dropping Rob Wilkinson For First Finish In Nearly Six Years

    In his first fight in the sport after nearly two years, Phil Davis showed that he’s still competing at the highest level of the game, defeating Rob Wilkinson in the main event of the PFL’s World Tournament first round event on May 1.

    Wilkinson got the edge in the fight early on, making use of low kicks and strong combinations. Davis answered back, but his attempt to level change was picked on by Wilkinson, who pressed him into the fence. Wilkinson continued to assert his control with a series of one-twos throughout the second half of the first round.

    Quickly into the second, however, Davis yanked control away, landing a strong right to the head. Davis would then land a right hand-leg kick combination before another right hand that sent Wilkinson stumbling. Davis would continues to attack before dropping Wilkinson for an early second-round knockout.

    This is the first time Davis has scored a win not by decision since his Bellator 231 win over Karl Albrektsson.

    Phil Davis Moves On In PFL World Tournament After KO’ing Former PFL Champ Rob Wilkinson

    Though Davis has now won three of his last four, this fight marked his first since facing Corey Anderson at Bellator 297 back in June 2023.

    Wilkinson, the 2022 PFL light heavyweight champion, has now lost two straight after a nine-fight unbeaten streak. Wilkinson was a semifinalist in the PFL championship tournament last year.

  • ‘Throw The Whole Promotion Away’ – Fans React To Valentin Moldavsky Earning Disputed Decision Win Over Sergey Bilostenniy In PFL World Tournament

    ‘Throw The Whole Promotion Away’ – Fans React To Valentin Moldavsky Earning Disputed Decision Win Over Sergey Bilostenniy In PFL World Tournament

    Despite being rocked early in the fight, Valentin Moldavsky managed to battle back and come out on top over Sergey Bilostenniy in the co-main event of the PFL World Tournament first round event on May 1.

    Bilostenniy and Moldavsky both had their fair share of hard strikes, with Bilostenniy looking for a quick start to controlling the fight. He used plenty of kicks, from heavy leg kicks to flashy spinning back kicks. Moldavsky looked to counter that by working combinations, eventually finding his rhythm and landing several left hands. Bilostenniy cracked Moldavsky and threw a flurry before the bell, but Bilostenniy managed to survive.

    Moldavsky focused on body attacks in the second round, as well as answering Bilostenniy’s leg kicks with his own. Bilostenniy used effective head movement and counters to try and catch Moldavsky in his attacks. The exchanges were competitive, though Bilostenniy appeared to be landing the more clean and effective strikes. Moldavsky did press forward, however, looking to pressure Bilostenniy as the two went toe-to-toe.

    Moldavsky then continued his pace by looking to use his grappling advantage, pressing Bilostenniy into the fence several times during the final frame. Moldavsky landed inside in the clinch, trying to wear him down.

    Despite Bilostenniy’s strong work, Moldavsky was awarded the decision on all three judges’ scorecards 29-28.

    Valentin Moldavsky Earns Controversial Decision Over Sergey Bilostenniy

    https://twitter.com/OnlyRuggs/status/1918145153287823373
    https://twitter.com/Caleb2x___/status/1918144844129538146

    Moldavsky, the former interim Bellator heavyweight champion, had defeated Ante Delija but lost to Linton Vassell, missing the heavyweight playoffs during the 2024 PFL season.

    Bilostenniy had won three straight and eight of nine entering tonight’s bout.

  • ‘Them Hellbows Were Nasty’ – Fans React As Simeon Powell Throws Flurries Of Fury In Second-Round TKO

    ‘Them Hellbows Were Nasty’ – Fans React As Simeon Powell Throws Flurries Of Fury In Second-Round TKO

    A statement was made by Simeon Powell, as the 2023 PFL Europe light heavyweight finalist impressed in the opening round of the PFL World Tournament.

    Powell scored a finish of Karl Albrektsson in a bout that opened up the main card of the PFL World Tournament event on May 1.

    Powell didn’t seem to have much going for him in the opening round, as the action was primarily controlled by Albrektsson. Albrektsson used low kicks and grappling combined to force Powell against the fence for a majority of the opening frame.

    Powell ended that first round with a couple of strong elbows, and that would foreshadow the finish to the fight in the second. After getting pinned against the fence once more, Powell got behind Albrektsson and nearly scored a takedown. Against the fence, he connected with an elbow that rocked Albrektsson.

    Powell then unleashed a flurry of shots, including another strong elbow, to wobble Albrektsson, who continued to eat shots until the referee waved off the bout.

    Simeon Powell Makes Statement In Securing PFL World Tournament Semi-Final Spot

    Powell made it to the finals of the 2023 PFL Europe light heavyweight tournament but fell to Jakob Nedoh. He then competed at the Bellator event in London this past September, defeating Rafael Xavier.

    Albrektsson has now lost four of his last five, with his sole victory in this stretch coming against Dovlet Yagshimuradov at Bellator 268.

  • VIDEO: Alexandr Romanov Locks Up Standing Guillotine, PFL World Tournament Semi-Final Spot

    VIDEO: Alexandr Romanov Locks Up Standing Guillotine, PFL World Tournament Semi-Final Spot

    Once someone who appeared to be a rising name in the UFC’s heavyweight division, Alexandr Romanov now appears to be someone to watch for in the PFL’s World Tournament at heavyweight.

    Romanov made a statement by scoring a quick submission of veteran and former Bellator interim heavyweight title challenger Tim Johnson. The two headlined the early card portion of the PFL World Tournament action on May 1.

    After a battle for pressure and control in the early going, the fight had a brief pause when Romanov was hit low. It didn’t take long after the fight’s resumption for Romanov to lock up Johnson in a standing guillotine choke. Johnson was lifted and forced to tap, appearing to also injure a rib in the process.

    Alexandr Romanov Submits Tim Johnson In PFL World Tournament First-Round Matchup

    This fight marked Romanov’s PFL debut after a stint in the UFC between 2020 and 2024. Romanov went 7-3 with the promotion, with his losses coming against Marcin Tybura, Alexander Volkov and Jailton Almeida. Romanov last fought at UFC Edmonton in November, defeating another name who made his way over from the UFC to the PFL with a win tonight — Rodrigo Nascimento.

    Johnson has now lost three in a row and is 1-3 in the PFL.

  • VIDEO: Sullivan Cauley Rains Down Elbows For Vicious First-Round Finish In PFL World Tournament

    VIDEO: Sullivan Cauley Rains Down Elbows For Vicious First-Round Finish In PFL World Tournament

    Sullivan Cauley appeared to take on the form of prime Travis Browne, as he finished Alex Polizzi quickly during the early card of the light heavyweight and heavyweight portion of the PFL World Championships on May 1.

    The first-round bout saw Polizzi quickly score a pair of takedowns on Cauley. Though Cauley scrambled up the first time, he had to battle force and pressure brought on by Polizzi’s ground game to return to the feet. When Cauley did, however, he attacked with elbows as Polizzi continued to press for the takedown.

    The elbows landed strongly, rocking Polizzi. Cauley continued to rain blows down before the referee stepped in, finishing the action in less than two minutes.

    Sullivan Cauley Scores Quick Finish With Elbows While Being Grappled

    Cauley fought exclusively in Bellator until its folding, going 6-1 in the promotion. He was originally scheduled to take on Marcelo Nunes before Nunes’ withdrawal hours before tonight’s event.

    Polizzi, a former LFA light heavyweight champion, has now lost four of his last five. He was originally booked for an alternate fight with Rafael Xavier before replacing Nunes on last-minute notice.

  • PFL World Tournament Week 4: Light Heavyweights and Heavyweights Collide in Orlando

    PFL World Tournament Week 4: Light Heavyweights and Heavyweights Collide in Orlando

    The Professional Fighters League returns tonight with World Tournament Week 4 at Universal Studios Florida, featuring critical light heavyweight and heavyweight quarterfinal bouts with playoff implications.

    Former Bellator champion Phil Davis (24-7) headlines against 2022 PFL light heavyweight champion Rob Wilkinson (19-3) in a clash of former title holders. “In his heyday, Davis was one of the most athletic light heavyweights to grace an MMA cage”, having secured wins over Alexander Gustafsson, Lyoto Machida, and Glover Teixeira throughout his career.

    Making his PFL debut, the 40-year-old Davis faces questions after nearly two years away from competition. Meanwhile, Wilkinson aims to rebound from his 2024 playoff loss, bringing “explosive power and aggressive fighting style, he has achieved 14 first-round stoppages throughout his career”.

    The co-main event features a heavyweight showdown between former Bellator interim champion Valentin Moldavsky and Sergey Bilostenniy, described as “a showdown that could produce a highlight-reel finish at any time”

    With single-elimination format determining playoff seeding, tonight’s card emphasizes finish bonuses and debuts the PFL’s new biometric tracking technology to enhance broadcasts on ESPN2 and ESPN+.

    Event Information:

    • Main Card: 10:00 PM ET on ESPN2 and ESPN+
    • Early Card: 7:30 PM ET on ESPN+
    • Venue: Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida

    The card also features former PFL champion Antonio Carlos Jr. taking on Karl Moore in light heavyweight action, while Alexander Romanov faces Timothy Johnson at heavyweight in critical tournament bouts where “Fighters only get one shot!”

  • Patrice Evra Calls Out Luis Suárez for MMA Debut Settlement

    Patrice Evra Calls Out Luis Suárez for MMA Debut Settlement

    Former Manchester United captain Patrice Evra has publicly challenged old football rival Luis Suárez to settle their controversial 2011 racism dispute in his upcoming MMA debut at PFL Europe on May 23 in Paris.

    “When the PFL asked me who I would like, I said Luis Suárez because I had a beef with him back in the day when I was captain of United and he played for Liverpool”, Evra stated during an interview with Ariel Helwani.

    The 43-year-old Frenchman, who has been training in combat sports since 2016, made headlines by posting on social media: “BREAKING: I’m officially training for my first fight with @PFLEurope. They will pick my opponent … They asked who I wanna face. I said: Luis Suárez. I’ll pay out of pocket. He can even bite me.”

    In a surprising development, Evra claims Suárez’s manager contacted PFL and suggested the Inter Miami forward could be in attendance at the Accor Arena for the Paris event, though no official bout has been confirmed.

    The rivalry dates back to an infamous incident in October 2011 when Suárez received an eight-match ban and £40,000 fine for racially abusing Evra during a Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United. While Evra has stated he’s forgiven Suárez, the opportunity to settle their differences in combat sports has reignited public interest.

    Evra, who retired from professional football in 2019, will compete in a showcase bout at the PFL Europe Paris event. The PFL has yet to announce his official opponent for the Accor Arena showdown.

    “I’ve been training alongside the best in the world for years, and they’ll also tell you I’m ready for this. I’m going to put on a show at the Accor Arena on 23 May” , Evra told Helwani, promising an entertaining debut for French MMA fans.

  • Former Manchester United Captain Set To Make Shocking PFL Debut On May 23

    Former Manchester United Captain Set To Make Shocking PFL Debut On May 23

    The PFL SmartCage is set to welcome a former French footballer in a surprise crossover bout.

    On Friday, the PFL officially announced that former Manchester United captain Patrice Evra has signed with the promotion and will be making his MMA debut at the upcoming PFL Europe event on May 23 at the Accor Arena in Paris, France.

    Evra is expected to compete in a welterweight showcase bout — though his opponent remains under wraps.

    The 43-year-old Senegal-born Frenchman has been training alongside fellow countryman and PFL standout Cédric Doumbé.

    “You guys should know by now, I love this game too! I’ve performed on the world’s biggest stages, won every major trophy in football, but PFL Europe Paris will be an incredibly special night for me,” Evra said in a statement released by the promotion.” I’ve been training alongside the best in the world for years, and they’ll also tell you I’m ready for this. I’m going to put on a show at the Accor Arena on 23 May, so come watch the spectacle.”

    Following the announcement, Evra took to social media and cheekily suggested he would like to make his promotional debut against his longtime Premier League rival, Luis Suárez, inside the cage.

    “BREAKING: I’m officially training for my first fight with @PFLEurope. They will pick my opponent… They asked who I wanna face. I said:
    Luis Suárez. I’ll pay out of pocket. He can even bite me, Evra wrote on X.

    Following a brief stint with West Ham United, Evra hung up his boots for good in July 2019. His illustrious playing career was highlighted by a commanding decade at Manchester United from 2005 to 2014, during which he made 273 appearances.

    The upcoming PFL Europe event is set to be headlined by a lightweight showdown between Mansour Barnaoui and Archie Colgan. The card also features another 155-pound clash between Patrick Habirora and Nicolas Di Franco, as well as a bantamweight battle in which promotional debutant Taylor Lapilus will face off against Ali Taleb.

  • PFL Africa, Chaired By Francis Ngannou, Set To Launch In July

    PFL Africa, Chaired By Francis Ngannou, Set To Launch In July

    PFL Africa is nearing its official launch.

    Having ran its season structure on the global stage since 2018, the PFL has committed to establishing its presence with a number of regional leagues around the world.

    After kicking off that expansion with PFL Europe in 2023 and adding PFL MENA (Middle East and North Africa) to the calendar in 2024, the promotion will soon launch its latest development.

    Having long planned an African expansion with star signing Francis Ngannou at the helm, PFL Africa has been officially confirmed for its inaugural season in 2025.

    And PFL founder Donn Davis took to X this week to reveal a launch date will soon be announced for July.

    “PFL Africa Launches This July!!!” Davis wrote. “32 fighters from 14 nations compete in 4 single elimination events to become PFL 2025 Africa Champion … 3rd regional league from @PFLMMA May 6 major press announcement with fighter roster and event location details! #PFLMMA#PFLAfrica“

    Ngannou’s role as chairman of PFL Africa was announced when he put pen to paper on a deal with the PFL in 2023, bringing to an end months of speculation regarding his future following a departure from the UFC.

    While the Cameroonian has since had plenty of focus on a boxing venture, sharing the ring with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, his attention was back on the PFL last October when he made a successful debut inside the SmartCage.

  • Full Card Confirmed For Paul Hughes-Headlined PFL Europe Event In Belfast On May 10

    Full Card Confirmed For Paul Hughes-Headlined PFL Europe Event In Belfast On May 10

    The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has officially announced the final fight card for next month’s PFL Europe event in Belfast.

    Headlining the card is the return of Paul Hughes (13-2). Following his valiant performance against Usman Nurmagomedov, “Big News” gets his homecoming bout versus Bruno “Robusto” Miranda (17-5).

    The co-main event will showcase the return of the 2024 PFL Europe Bantamweight Champion, Lewis “The McGrizzla” McGrillen (11-1). McGrillen is coming off a year where he clinched the title with two consecutive knockout victories. His opponent, Alan “Super Ali” Philpott (21-16-0, 1 NC),  aims to silence any doubters in his first fight on home soil in 11 years.

    See below for the full lineup for the PFL Europe event on May 10.

    • Lightweight Main Event: Paul Hughes (13-2) vs. Bruno Miranda (17-5)
    • Bantamweight Co-Main Event: Lewis McGrillen (11-1) vs. Alan Philpott (21-16-0, 1 NC)
    • Lightweight Tournament: Connor Hughes (10-2) vs. Sebastian Di Franco (10-3)
    • Lightweight Tournament: Mark Ewen (6-1) vs. Alex Chizov (10-3)
    • Lightweight Showcase Bout: John Mitchell (10-2) vs. Lorenzo Parente (4-0)
    • Lightweight Tournament Bout: Claudio Pacella (5-2) vs. Gavin Hughes (11-4)
    • Lightweight Tournament Bout: Decky McAleenan (9-5-1) vs. Gino Van Steenis (5-1)
    • Middleweight Showcase Bout: Haider Khan (9-1) vs. Sean McCormac (3-2)
    • Women’s Flyweight Showcase Bout: Gemma Auld (1-0) vs. Sammy-Jo Luxton (2-0)
    • Welterweight Showcase Bout: Eoin Sheridan (2-0) vs. Malichi Edwards (4-1)
    • Featherweight Showcase Bout: Corey McLaughlin (0-1) vs. Nahom Wedi (0-0)

    PFL Europe Belfast will be broadcast exclusively on DAZN in the UK and Ireland, as well as other parts of Europe. Tickets for the event are currently available for purchase via ticketmaster.ie.

  • MMA News: Emmett Returns at UFC Vegas 105, PFL Kicks Off, Volk-Lopes

    MMA News: Emmett Returns at UFC Vegas 105, PFL Kicks Off, Volk-Lopes

    Good morning, fight fans, here is a rundown of the most significant developments that have unfolded in the past 24 hours. From upcoming title fights to fighter comebacks and event cancellations, there’s plenty happening across the MMA landscape today.

    Let’s dive into the top stories today, Thursday, April 3, 2025:

    1. Josh Emmett Returns to Headline UFC Vegas 105 This Weekend

    After a significant 15-month absence from the octagon, featherweight contender Josh Emmett is making his long-awaited return this Saturday at UFC Fight Night 105. The #8 ranked featherweight will headline against undefeated British prospect Lerone Murphy (#10) in what could potentially position the winner for a title opportunity in the division.

    Emmett has reportedly used his time away to focus on personal and professional development, and now feels ready to showcase his best form in this crucial matchup. With the featherweight title currently vacant, this fight carries even more significance as both fighters look to make their case for championship contention.

    2. PFL Kicks Off 2025 Season Today with Welterweight and Featherweight Action

    The Professional Fighters League launches its 2025 regular season today, April 3rd, featuring a new divisional tournament format for its welterweight and featherweight competitors. Former Bellator champion Jason Jackson faces veteran Andrey Koreshkov in the night’s main event, highlighting the organization’s continued growth as a premier destination for top-tier mixed martial arts talent.

    This season opener marks an important step in PFL’s ongoing evolution as a legitimate alternative to the UFC, bringing tournament-style competition back to mainstream MMA.

    3. Volkanovski vs. Lopes for Vacant Featherweight Title Set for UFC 314

    Former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will have his opportunity to reclaim UFC gold when he faces surging contender Diego Lopes for the vacant 145-pound title at UFC 314 on April 12th. The championship was vacated by Ilia Topuria, setting up this highly anticipated showdown to determine the division’s new ruler.

    This matchup presents an intriguing stylistic clash between Volkanovski’s technical precision and championship experience against Lopes’ explosive offensive arsenal.

    4. Sydney MMA Event Canceled Due to Security Concerns

    In a concerning development from Australia, an MMA event scheduled to take place in Sydney has been canceled due to serious security concerns. Reports indicate that fears over a potential “gangland hit” targeting a former UFC fighter contributed to the decision to halt the event.

    5. O’Malley Makes Lifestyle Changes Ahead of Dvalishvili Rematch

    UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley has publicly committed to performing at his “full potential” in his upcoming rematch against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316 later this year. The colorful champion has reportedly implemented significant lifestyle changes in preparation, including reducing social media usage and eliminating marijuana consumption to maintain complete focus on defending his title.

    After a challenging first encounter with the Georgian contender, O’Malley appears determined to make the necessary adjustments to retain his 135-pound championship.

    That wraps up today’s MMA News morning report. Stay tuned for continued coverage of these developing stories and all the latest UFC news as we approach an action-packed weekend of fights.

  • ‘He’s Pretty Focused On Boxing’ – PFL Official Believes Jake Paul Won’t Make MMA Debut

    ‘He’s Pretty Focused On Boxing’ – PFL Official Believes Jake Paul Won’t Make MMA Debut

    According to a PFL executive, Jake Paul has no intention of putting his boxing career on hold to transition into MMA.

    More than two years have passed since Paul inked an exclusive deal with the PFL in January 2023 to make his cage debut. In partnership with the New York-based MMA promotion, “The Problem Child” launched the PPV Super Fight division, a pay-per-view platform designed to give fighters a 50% share of event profits.

    Since then, the 28-year-old Ohio native has repeatedly teased his MMA debut, stirring the pot by calling out UFC superstars like Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, and other big-name fighters for a matchup in the cage.

    Despite assurances from PFL chairman Donn Davis that Jake Paul will make his SmartCage debut in 2025, there has been minimal movement in that direction. Instead, the YouTuber-turned-prizefighter has kept his attention firmly on his flourishing boxing career, stepping into the ring for six bouts between February 2023 and November 2024.

    And according to PFL Europe’s Head of Fighter Operations, Dan Hardy, it’s unlikely that anything will change for Paul anytime soon.

    During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Hardy noted that it’s increasingly improbable that “The Problem Child” will hit pause on his boxing career to make the switch to MMA.

    “Do we ever see him in MMA? I don’t think so,” Hardy said. “I think he’s pretty focused on boxing. It’s a lot of work for him to cross over to mixed martial arts, and he’s not going to fight anybody that you’ve never heard of before. It’s going to have to be a decent name or otherwise people won’t watch it. Even old guys in MMA could still handle business, I think, with Jake Paul.”

    Paul was last seen in action in November, where he secured a unanimous decision victory over the legendary Mike Tyson. “The Problem Child” was also reportedly in talks for a high-profile showdown with multi-division champion Canelo Alvarez. However, those negotiations ultimately fell through when Alvarez signed a high-paying, exclusive contract under the Riyadh Season banner.

    Paul has now shifted his focus to a potential showdown with former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in 2026, even boldly predicting that he has what it takes to defeat him.

  • Ryan Bader Addresses Decision To Split With PFL

    Ryan Bader, a respected mixed martial arts fighter, recently decided it was time to move on from the PFL.

    This decision came after a year-long break from fighting, during which he took on a role in the upcoming movie, The Smashing Machine, a biography about Mark Kerr. This absence made him question when he would compete again, leading to discussions with the PFL about ending their professional relationship amicably.  

    It’s seemingly rare for a fighter and a promotion to part ways without any hard feelings, but Bader insists that there’s no animosity between him and the PFL. Even though he still had one fight left on his contract, they agreed to separate.

    While speaking with MMA Fighting, Bader explained that the decision was mostly his. He held the Bellator heavyweight championship, and with the PFL’s recent acquisition of Bellator, there was some confusion about titles and tournament structures. He felt that the timeline for his next fight was unclear, so they had a positive discussion and decided to go their separate ways.

    He expressed gratitude for his time in Bellator and said he would remember it fondly.

    “For me, I just felt like it’s going to be a little while [before I fight again], it’s kind of unclear so we had a good talk with them and decided to go our own separate ways. We were happy with the outcome. They were great to us, and I had an absolute blast with that run in Bellator. I’ll look back very fondly on that.”

    Bader’s only PFL appearance resulted in a loss to Renan Ferreira in February 2024. This fight determined who would face Francis Ngannou in the Cameroonian’s promotional debut. Shortly after, Bader received an unexpected opportunity to act in The Smashing Machine, alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Emily Blunt.

    After securing the movie role, Bader spent several months filming. He appreciated that the PFL allowed him this time, even though he was still under contract with them. He was pleased that they reached a mutually agreeable arrangement. He said that he will always speak well of both organizations.

    One of the main reasons for Bader’s departure from the PFL was his current career stage. At 41, he knew that his retirement was approaching, and he wasn’t interested in participating in a PFL tournament. He also wasn’t sure what suitable opponents would be available, as he had already faced many top heavyweights from the former Bellator roster.

    “I felt like I didn’t have a ton to prove anymore,” Bader said. “For me, I loved my Bellator run. It was so much fun but even then we were kind of recycling guys. I kind of felt it going that same kind of route. The tournaments are kind of weird, because my purse is great money, and nobody really wants to pay that multiple times in a year let alone three times in a year and I get that. So that wasn’t really an option. I don’t know. For me I could get three fights somewhat quickly and then be done but yeah, we that opportunity to do the movie, that was all summer and then haven’t fought for a while.

    “For me, it was just perfect timing. It took away that unknown even though I’m in a different unknown, I can kind of steer where I’m going. We’re happy where we’re at. I had a blast in those organizations. We’ll just see what next. I believe there will be something next, at least one more.”

  • Fabian Edwards Out Of PFL World Tournament Days On From Brother Leon’s Latest UFC Setback

    Fabian Edwards Out Of PFL World Tournament Days On From Brother Leon’s Latest UFC Setback

    March has been a month to forget for the Edwards brothers.

    Fabian was in the corner of his brother Leon earlier this month as the former UFC welterweight champion looked to bounce back from his title defeat to Belal Muhammad last July. But inside The O2 in London, “Rocky” fell to the first two-fight losing skid of his career courtesy of Sean Brady’s grappling prowess.

    Leon’s preparation for that took place alongside training for Fabian’s own return under the PFL banner. After a second failed attempt at unseating Johnny Eblen last October, the Bellator veteran was set to be part of the inaugural PFL World Tournament.

    But while a first-round clash with Impa Kasanganay on April 18 would have provided a quick opportunity to boost morale in the team following Leon’s setback, that bout is no more.

    The promotion announced Sunday that Edwards has withdrawn from the middleweight tournament and has been replaced by the undefeated Jordan Newman.

    It remains to be seen when Fabian’s return will be rescheduled for, and what the PFL will have planned for him following a swift exit from the 2025 World Tournament.

  • Former Two-Division Bellator Champion ‘Amicably’ Parts Ways With PFL

    Amid a wave of discontent and high-profile departures from the PFL, a former two-division Bellator champion has chosen to sever ties with the promotion on cordial terms.

    On Thursday, combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani was the first to report on X that MMA veteran Ryan Bader has officially split from the PFL, walking away before fulfilling the final fight on his contract. Helwani also revealed that “Darth” and PFL executives amicably reached a mutual agreement to part ways, with both sides satisfied with the terms of the separation.

    Bader also took to Instagram to address his free agency, releasing a statement that confirmed Helwani’s report.

    “Just an update…officially a free agent. PFL and our team came up with terms we were both happy agreeing on with one fight remaining on contract. The Bellator run was one for the books. What a blast, and being surrounded by great people running that org. Im still open to different opportunities in the fight game,” he captioned.

    Bader was last seen in action at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions in February 2024, where he suffered a knockout loss to Renan Ferreira in just 21 seconds.

    Following the setback, the 41-year-old Nevada native revealed he would be stepping away from competition to join the cast of The Smashing Machine, a biopic about MMA legend Mark Kerr. The film, starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, is set for release later this year.

    During his reign as Bellator’s heavyweight champion, “Darth” secured victories over notable contenders, including Valentin Moldavsky, Cheick Kongo, and the legendary Fedor Emelianenko.

    Following Bellator’s merger with the PFL, he wrapped up his tenure with the promotion at 9-3 with one no contest, bringing his overall career mark to 31-8.

  • Fighter Who Left UFC Despite Winning Streak Signs With PFL

    Fighter Who Left UFC Despite Winning Streak Signs With PFL

    Bantamweight fighter Taylor Lapilus has found a home in the Professional Fighters League (PFL).

    Lapilus, 32, has been the subject of two widely questioned departures from the UFC. After going 3-1 in his first stint, “Double Impact” went on a tear away from the Octagon that culminated in Ares FC championship success.

    But it’s been a case of déjà vu for the Frenchman, who was once again removed from the roster this past February despite winning three of four fights since returning to the sport’s leading promotion. It was later reported that Lapilus had chosen not to accept a contract renewal.

    Consecutive wins over Cody Stamann and Vince Morales were evidently not enough to boost his stock among the UFC higher-ups enough for a desirable offer, and Lapilus will now once again ply his trade elsewhere.

    Fans of the 32-year-old found out his next destination this week, with the PFL announcing it has signed Lapilus to a multi-fight deal.

    It remains to be seen whether Lapilus will compete on the PFL’s global stage or regional European expansion.

    “Double Impact” has signed too late to be part of the promotion’s new format in 2025, which gets underway later this week. After ditching its season and playoff format this year, the PFL will kick off a new era on Thursday with the launch of its World Tournament.

    The Grand Prix-style structure will see eight fighters in each weight class compete in a single elimination format, culminating in championship finals worth $500,000 for the winners.

  • Johnny Eblen Frustrated PFL Still Hasn’t Scheduled His Next Fight

    Johnny Eblen has taken to social media to voice his frustration about not having a fight booked. Eblen entered the year as the Bellator middleweight champion, but the longtime brand has since been scrapped by the PFL.

    Eblen’s most recent fight came last October at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants, where the American beat Edwards in a rematch.

    He wrote on X this week, “Wish I had a fight scheduled 😐.”

    In the meantime, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) has been unveiling the rosters for its inaugural World Tournament, which will be replacing the season and playoff format.

    Eblen won’t feature in the middleweight bracket, which includes the likes of former Bellator middleweight title challengers Fabian Edwards and Aaron Jeffery, both bringing considerable high-level experience to the tournament.

    Adding a layer of excitement, Impa Kasanganay, the 2023 PFL light heavyweight champion, will move down a weight class to compete at 185 pounds. The tournament will also feature former Bellator middleweight contenders Dalton Rosta and Mike Shipman, as well as former ONE Championship standout Murad Ramazanov, ensuring a highly competitive field.

  • PFL Founder Rejects Speculation About Francis Ngannou’s Future: ‘Fake News!’

    PFL Founder Rejects Speculation About Francis Ngannou’s Future: ‘Fake News!’

    According to PFL founder and chairman Donn Davis, there’s no truth behind talk of Francis Ngannou approaching a potential termination clause in his contract.

    Ngannou has competed just once in the PFL since signing in May 2023 off the back of his highly publicized exit from the UFC. “The Predator” debuted by knocking out Renan Ferreira in quick time last October.

    Having previously fought Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in boxing, the Cameroonian appears likely to return to the ring for his next combat sports outing before adding to his MMA tally again.

    While his next appearance in the cage is expected to come under the PFL banner, journalist John Nash recently addressed a rumored termination clause that could see Ngannou leave the organization as early as this month during his Hey, Not The Face podcast.

    “If it’s true that his contract has a termination date and that termination date is the end of this month, they better get on that!” Nash said. “Because this is one of their major selling points, and if they’re looking for a big TV deal after UFC maybe leaves (ESPN), you’re gonna need Francis Ngannou to get that sale. That just shows you in some ways the message are communicating to the CEOs and in the corporate world, those are things that we as fans that know the sport would see through, but they don’t.”

    It didn’t take long for Davis to attempt to quash such speculation on social media, writing on X that talk of Francis Ngannou departing the PFL soon is nothing but “fake news.”

    “No truth, fake news. Francis has at least one more fight with @PFLMMA. Further Francis is long-term business partner as Chairman @PFLAfrica“

    It remains to be seen what lies in the immediate fighting future of Ngannou, but talk of a showdown with former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has been intensifying in recent weeks.

    And in terms of MMA opposition, ex-Bellator light heavyweight kingpin Vadim Nemkov has been widely pointed to as the PFL’s best option. The Russian has gone 2-0 since moving up in weight last year, most recently submitting Timothy Johnson in the first round at PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai.